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Saint Petronius

Saint Petronius is a marble statue created by Michelangelo in 1494–1495. It measures 64 cm in height and is located in the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna. The sculpture depicts Saint Petronius, bishop of Bologna, and was influenced by Jacopo della Quercia’s sculpture of the same subject. It was designed to be viewed from below. The work had been begun by Niccolò dell’Arca but remained unfinished until Michelangelo completed it.

Saint Petronius stone statue in robes and a mitre, holding a miniature walled city.
Stone statue of Saint Petronius, shown in flowing robes and a mitre holding a small walled city.
June 2020 © · CC BY 3.0
Saint Petronius marble statue holding a model of a city against his chest
Saint Petronius is shown as a marble statue holding a detailed model of a city.
April 2006 © Georges Jansoone · CC BY 2.5
Saint Petronius marble statue holding a model of a city or building
Saint Petronius depicted as a marble statue, holding a detailed model in an ornate carved setting.
October 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Marble statue of Saint Petronius holding a model of a building within an ornate monument with relief figures and decorative details.
Saint Petronius sculpture by Michelangelo in the Basilica of St. Dominic, Bologna.
October 2016 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Engraving of Saint Petronius, a robed bishop with a mitre holding a miniature fortified city.
Saint Petronius shown in an engraving, holding a small fortified city in his hands.
1900 © Incisore anonimo · Public domain

Identification

TitleSaint Petronius
French titleSaint Pétrone
Typestatue
Typesculpture
Original-language nameEl San Petronio

Historical context

ContextMichelangelo left Florence for the first time in autumn 1494 amid political upheaval in Florence
Age at timeLess than twenty years old
DateAutumn 1494–1495
Place of creationBologna

Creator

ArtistMichelangelo Buonarroti
Completion of earlier workCompleted an unfinished marble figure begun by Niccolò dell'Arca
Commissioned byThe friars of San Domenico
Other works in the commissionOne of three statues Michelangelo made for the tomb of Saint Dominic
Associated sculptorNiccolò dell'Arca
PatronageGiovan Francesco Aldrovandi, one of the '16 city rulers', helped Michelangelo receive the commission

Discovery and provenance

Intended locationThe Arca di San Domenico in the Basilica of San Domenico
Current locationBasilica of San Domenico, Bologna
Display statusOn display

Physical characteristics

Height64 cm
ViewpointDesigned to be viewed from below
StyleJuvenile

Materials

MaterialMarble
Block conditionExecuted from an already roughly blocked-out marble block

Technique

ExecutionMade by completing a pre-sketched marble block begun by Niccolò dell'Arca

Appearance

PoseThe figure steps forward while holding the city of Bologna with both hands
DraperyAnimated drapery with deep folds and alternating areas of light and shadow

Iconography and meaning

SubjectSaint Petronius, bishop and patron saint of Bologna
City representedBologna
City detailsThe Garisenda and Asinelli towers are visible within the city walls

Stylistic influence

InfluenceJacopo della Quercia and Ferrara painting, especially Cosimo Tura
ComparisonVasari said Michelangelo made these figures better than the others there

Location and ownership

Bologna residence during commissionMichelangelo lived in Aldrovandi's house during his stay in Bologna

Significance

Monumental contextMade for the Arca di San Domenico, a major monument containing the remains of Saint Dominic
Function within monumentOne of the supplementary statues added to the monument
Monument completion statusMostly finished, with only some accessory statues still to be prepared
Relative scaleThe added statues were relatively small by early-16th-century standards

Other

Referenced sourcesCondivi and Vasari
Literary referencesDante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, and other Tuscan poets